If you’re looking to binge watch a psychological thriller that will keep you at the edge of your chair, check out Apple TV’s “Cape Fear.” Executive produced by Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, the suspenseful program is a reimagining of the 1957 novel, “The Executioners.”
Amy Adams in “Cape Fear,” now streaming on Apple TV.
That led to two brilliant film adaptations: the 1962 film that starred Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum, and Scorsese’s 1991 remake, produced by Spielberg, with Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis.
The cast thoroughly enjoyed filming the riveting series, which focuses on happily married attorneys who are being stalked by Max Cady, (Javier Bardem) an evil killer they are responsible for putting in jail.
“Some days were super intense, but ultimately, I had a great time and working with these great actors and the creative team, I feel like we all gel very easily,” Amy Adams said at a recent press chat.
“There was a very organic chemistry between the whole cast. That really helped keep things fun. And even the intense stuff, there was a certain play and fun to it.”
While playing a lawyer and a mom who is being constantly terrorized can be challenging, Adams takes it all in stride.
“One of the things I have to do during filming is I have to find a quiet space to myself because otherwise, I just want to chat with everyone. I’m a bit of a golden retriever on set where I just want to talk, so I have to really isolate myself intentionally in order to stay focused and stay in the place I need to be.”
It’s no wonder Adams uses dog analogies to describe herself–she was fantastic in the 2024 dark comedy, “Nightbitch,” where she plays a mom who thinks she is turning into a dog!
“That was one of my very favorite roles!” she told Soundsphere.
Film buffs will love that Lewis, the breakout star of the 1991 film (she was just 18 years old when she was nominated for both an Academy Award and Golden Globe for best supporting actress!) actually has a special role that was created for the 2026 version.
“It was one of my great joys of the series because women don’t get the chance to work together in that way,” Adams enthused. “I loved getting to know her after watching her my whole life.”
Lewis was equally excited to work with Adams: “She was something to witness because one minute, she’ll be chatting over here and then next, in hysteria, fighting for her life. It’s just remarkable,” Lewis acknowledged. “And it’s a gift. I was so honored to be able to work with her, and that we liked each other, shared similar humor, needed snacks and things like that.”
While Lewis plays Crystal, (the sister of Cady) who is an escapee from the mental hospital where she was committed, she has fond memories of her teen role in the 1991 film; describing the experience as her “creative birthplace” which propelled her acting career into stardom.
Amy Adams in “Cape Fear,” now streaming on Apple TV
“I attribute that to Martin Scorsese validating my instincts.There were things I knew intuitively that I didn’t know were the right things. And then he told me to keep going. Just so many beautiful moments in that film.”
Which is why Lewis was so thrilled when creator/executive producer Nick Antosca (known for horror series like “Chucky,” “Brand New Cherry Flavor” and “Channel Zero”) asked her to be involved in the 2026 Apple series.
“This was a full-circle moment for me when Nick invited me to be a part of this project,” Lewis noted. “It was so meaningful. And when I kept seeing ‘Cape Fear’ in the font, when I first came to set, it was so nostalgic. So that was quite something too, and to see the character names. He wrote such a beautiful character that is totally different, but who could go toe to toe with Max (Bardem). I thought that was really interesting. I was really happy to be involved.”
Added Antosca: “It was really important because of the legacy of Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum and in the 1991 movie, she was so important. So it meant a lot to have Juliette be part of it.”
While “Cape Fear” premiered past the deadline to be included in the 2026 Emmys, it could very well get some nominations for Emmys 2027!